X-ray image photographing apparatus and management method

ABSTRACT

When a retake button is selected, a CPU causes a dialog screen for inputting a reason for a photographic error to be displayed. On the dialog screen, the name of a radiographer who is logging onto an X-ray photographing apparatus and select buttons indicating possible reasons for photographic errors are indicated. The CPU transmits an unsatisfactorily photographed image to a different server.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/459,302 filed Jul. 21, 2006, which claims the prioritybenefit of Japanese Application No. 2005-232046 filed Aug. 10, 2005. Thedisclosures of the above-named applications are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an X-ray image photographing apparatusand a management method in which images that are unsuccessfully X-rayphotographed are treated as unsatisfactorily photographed images.

2. Description of the Related Art

Film-screen systems in which intensifying screens and X-ray photographicfilm are combined together have been widely used for X-ray photographyin medical diagnosis. A photography order requested by a doctor isreturned to the doctor as X-ray film, and the doctor observes the X-rayfilm on an X-ray film observation device. In this case, in order toobserve a diagnosis region easily, a density range in which observationcan be easily achieved, such as a contrast range of about 1.0 D to 1.5D, is set. However, if a deviation from photographic conditions occurs,overexposure or underexposure is likely to occur. This adversely affectsdiagnosis. Thus, unsuccessfully photographed film is not used fordiagnosis. Such failure film is disposed of as unsatisfactorilyphotographed film.

In recent years, such film-screen systems have been replaced with X-rayphotographing systems that acquire image signals from photostimulablephosphors accumulating X-ray energy or flat-panel detectors (FPDs) thatconvert X-ray beams into electric signals proportional to the intensityof the X-ray beams.

Such photographing apparatuses solve an existing problem of exposurecontrol. In particular, by using an FPD, a user is able to check animage immediately after the image is photographed. Thus, the user isable to determine, without waiting for film development or withoutwaiting for reading processing of photostimulable phosphors, whether ornot photography is successfully performed immediately after thephotography is performed, and the user is able to quickly retake aphotograph for a photography order for which photography has beenunsuccessfully performed. Thus, the waiting period required for personswho are exposed to X-rays and radiographers is significantly reduced.

When a digital X-ray photographing apparatus is used, if a photographedimage is not appropriate, outputting the image onto film wastesresources and money. Thus, a medical printer described in JapanesePatent Laid-Open No. 2001-175771 and a system that stops anunsatisfactorily photographed image being distributed to an image serverused for diagnosis are proposed.

In this case, preventing an unsatisfactorily photographed image frombeing transmitted to the image server is effective in reducing the loadof a network and in reducing the amount of image server capacity used.

In known film-screen systems, a manager, such as a head radiographer ora chief radiographer, checks unsatisfactorily photographed film. Thus,the manager is able to check the number of unsatisfactorily photographedimages from among a plurality of photographed images and the type oferror a radiographer repeatedly makes, and thus, is able to superviseX-ray photography. In such a situation, radiographers carefully performphotography under strict supervision.

Using the digital X-ray photographing apparatus reduces the costrelating to unsatisfactorily photographed film, and this reduction inthe cost contributes to hospital management. However, management ofunsatisfactorily photographed images is not performed properly, and thenumber of unsatisfactorily photographed images is unclear. Thus,unsatisfactorily photographed images can be generated easily. That is, asubject is likely to be unnecessarily exposed to radiation, and suchunnecessary exposure is detrimental to patient's health.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can transmit an unsatisfactorily photographedimage or photography information to an X-ray photography managementserver apparatus in order to manage a photography record including theskill of a radiographer and a photographic error. Accordingly, an X-rayimage photographing apparatus that performs digital photography and thatachieves improved operation, and a management method are provided.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an X-ray imagephotographing apparatus including an image management system forhandling and tracking data to be correlated with an unsatisfactorilyphotographed image, is provided which includes a photographic errorindicating unit configured to mark or flag an image that isunsuccessfully photographed as an unsatisfactorily photographed image;an input unit configured to facilitate the inputting a reason for aphotographic error; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit theunsatisfactorily photographed image and the reason for the photographicerror.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the X-ray imagephotographing apparatus may further include a user managing unitconfigured to identify an operator who makes the photographic error,wherein the transmitting unit transmits user identification informationas well as the unsatisfactorily photographed image and the reason forthe photographic error. According to another aspect of the presentinvention, the x-ray image photographing apparatus may further include acompressing unit configured to compress the unsatisfactorilyphotographed image, which is indicated as being invalid, wherein thetransmitting unit transmits the compressed image.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, thetransmitting unit transmits the unsatisfactorily photographed image andthe reason for the photographic error at a predetermined point in timeor at predetermined intervals. According to another aspect of thepresent invention, the transmitting unit transmits the unsatisfactorilyphotographed image, which is indicated as being invalid, and a validimage that is not indicated as being invalid to different servers.

Moreover, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, theX-ray image photographing apparatus may further include an X-raygenerator configured to irradiate an X-ray; and a user managing unit foridentifying an operator who makes the photographic error, wherein thetransmitting unit transmits a photographic condition for the X-raygenerator and user identification information as well as theunsatisfactorily photographed image and the reason for the photographicerror. Further, according to yet another aspect of the presentinvention, the transmitting unit utilizes simple mail transfer protocolas a protocol for transmission.

According to still yet another aspect of the present invention, an imagemanagement method is provided which may be performed in an X-ray imagingapparatus including an image management system for handling and trackingdata to be correlated with an unsatisfactorily photographed image. Here,the method includes marking/flagging an image that is unsuccessfullyphotographed as an unsatisfactorily photographed image; inputting areason for a photographic error; and transmitting the unsatisfactorilyphotographed image and the reason for the photographic error.

Additionally, according to yet another aspect of the present invention,a computer readable medium is provided which containscomputer-executable instructions to be executed in an X-ray imagingapparatus including an image management system for handling and trackingdata to be correlated with an unsatisfactorily photographed image. Themedium includes computer-executable instructions for marking/flagging animage that is unsuccessfully photographed as an unsatisfactorilyphotographed image; computer-executable instructions for inputting areason for a photographic error; and computer-executable instructionsfor transmitting the unsatisfactorily photographed image and the reasonfor the photographic error.

Other embodiments, features and aspects of the present invention will beapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate various embodiments, features andaspects of the present invention, and together with the description,serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of an exemplary X-ray imagephotographing apparatus, according to an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary login screen for identifying anoperator, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary screen on which a list ofphotography orders acquired by the X-ray photographing apparatus isdisplayed, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an exemplary screen on which photography orderinformation received by the X-ray photographing apparatus is displayed,according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary screen of a display device afterphotography is performed, according to an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a block circuit diagram for explaining an exemplaryembodiment, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an exemplary screen when an unsatisfactorilyphotographed image is generated, according to an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an exemplary screen for inputting a reason forretake or a photographic error, according to an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of storage ofphotography records, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an exemplary output operation of an inspectionimage and a photography record, according to an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an exemplary photography process, according toan aspect of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments, features and aspects of the present invention willnow be herein described in detail in accordance with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing an exemplary system structureof a medical digital X-ray photographing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention. An X-ray photographing apparatus 10includes an image read controller 12, a random-access memory (RAM) 13, acentral processing unit (CPU) 14, a disk interface 15, a local-areanetwork (LAN) interface 16, and a user interface 17 that are connectedto each other via an internal bus 11. The RAM 13 includes a RAM unit 13a that stores a control program and a RAM unit 13 b that temporarilystores images.

An output of a flat-panel detector (FPD) 18 that includes a phosphor anda large-screen photoelectric converter, is connected via a data line 10a, to the image read controller 12 that stores images. A hard disk 19that stores a control program, correction information necessary forphotography, and photographed images is connected to the disk interface15. A display device 20 and an operation unit 21, such as a keyboard ora mouse, are connected to the user interface 17. It is noted that thedisplay device 20 and the operation unit 21 may be replaced with a touchpanel, or the like.

An output of an exposure switch 22 is connected, via an X-ray generatorcontroller 23, to an X-ray tube 24. The X-ray tube 24 irradiates aperson who is located in front of the FPD 18 with X-ray beams. The X-raygenerator controller 23 is connected, via a synchronous signal line 10b, to the image read controller 12. An order device 26 is connected, viaa LAN cable 25, to the LAN interface 16 used for communication with anexternal device.

The X-ray photographing apparatus 10 reads a control program from thehard disk 19, and causes the CPU 14 to operate the control program onthe RAM unit 13 a. In order to use the X-ray photographing apparatus 10,a radiographer logs in using the operation unit 21. Login management isperformed, for example, for the purpose of management of skills ofradiographers. It is necessary to specify the time an error occurs, theperson who makes the error, and the reason the error occurred, in orderto manage radiographers.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary login screen for identifying anoperator, according to an aspect of the present invention. In order toavoid deception, in which a radiographer performs photography to coverfor another radiographer, a user name and a password are input to a userID input field 31 and a password input field 32, respectively, on thelogin screen 30 of the display device 20 shown in FIG. 2.

When user authentication is satisfactorily achieved and the loginoperation is completed, the CPU 14 receives from the order device 26connected to the LAN cable 25 photography order information sent from aradiology information system (RIS), which is not shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary screen on which a list ofphotography orders acquired by the X-ray photographing apparatus isdisplayed, according to an aspect of the present invention. In thisembodiment, a list of the received photography order information isdisplayed, via the user interface 17, on a screen 40 of the displaydevice 20, as shown in FIG. 3. The radiographer, who is the operator ofthe X-ray photographing apparatus 10, selects an inspection item 41 onthe screen 40 using a pointing device.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an exemplary screen on which photography orderinformation received by the X-ray photographing apparatus is displayed,according to an aspect of the present invention. Thus, for example, asshown in FIG. 4, the control program on the RAM unit 13 a executed bythe CPU 14 changes the screen 40 into a screen 50, and the receivedphotography order information is displayed on the screen 50.

The CPU 14 presents to the operator the selected inspection item 41 inFIG. 3. Thus, during inspection, for example, a name is indicated in asubject information field 51 on the screen 50. A photographic conditionindication field 53 that indicates photography items for a photographyregion indicated in a photography region field 52 as buttons, a systemstate indication field 54 that indicates a system state of the X-rayphotographing apparatus 10, and an end button 55 are provided on thescreen 50.

The CPU 14 executes the system control program. When the operator clicksa “front side of chest” button, which is the first photography orderinformation indicated in the photography region field 52, the CPU 14sets the “front side of chest” button so that the “front side of chest”button has been selected. The operator places a subject S between theFPD 18 and the X-ray tube 24, and adjusts the attitude (position) of thesubject S to be appropriate for the photography region indicated in thephotography region field 52. In the meantime, the CPU 14 performscontrolling applying a voltage to the FPD 18 by executing the controlprogram, and sets the FPD 18 to be in an X-ray photography enable state.When the CPU 14 detects that the FPD 18 is in the X-ray photographyenable state, a message “READY” is indicated in the system stateindication field 54.

The operator checks the screen of the system state indication field 54,and then, clicks the exposure switch 22 to input to the system a triggerfor generating an X-ray beam. The generated exposure signal is input tothe image read controller 12 via the X-ray generator controller 23 andthe synchronous signal line 10 b. The image read controller 12 confirms,via the data line 10 a, that the FPD 18 is in the photography enablestate, and then, the image read controller 12 generates an exposureenable signal. The exposure enable signal is returned to the X-raygenerator controller 23. The X-ray generator controller 23 causes theX-ray tube 24 to irradiate an X-ray beam.

After irradiation of the X-ray beam, the X-ray beam passing through thesubject S is acquired as digital data at the FPD 18 via a phosphor,which is not shown. Then, the digital data is transferred to the imageread controller 12. Then, the CPU 14 executes the control program andcontrols the display device 20 via the user interface 17 so that ascreen 60 is displayed on the display device 20, as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary screen of a display device afterphotography is performed, according to an aspect of the presentinvention. The CPU 14 controls the display device 20 so that the imagedata acquired from the image read controller 12 is displayed in an imageindication field 61 on the screen 60, and so that a dose value receivedas photography execution information from the X-ray generator controller23 is indicated in a dose value indication field 62, and stores theimage data and the photography execution information in the hard disk19. In order to change an automatic density adjustment value for animage displayed in the image indication field 61, the operator changesthe density of the photographed image by adjusting a density adjustmentparameter 63. Similarly, the operator is able to change the contrast ofthe photographed image by adjusting a contrast adjustment parameter 64.

After checking the photographed image displayed in the image indicationfield 61 on the screen 60, the operator clicks a next button 65 on thescreen in order to perform the next photography. The CPU 14 executes theprogram and controls the display device 20 so that the screen 50 shownin FIG. 4 is displayed again on the display device 20. The CPU 14detects selection for the next order in the photography region field 52by the operator via the user interface 17. The CPU 14 repeats aphotography flow that is similar to the photography flow in the casedescribed above until all the photography orders are dealt with.

When all the orders have been dealt with, the screen 60 is displayedagain on the display device 20. Since there is no photography order tobe dealt with, the CPU 14 changes the display of the next button 65 to adisplay of a message “end inspection”. When the operator clicks themessage “end inspection”, the inspection of the subject S is terminated.

When termination of the inspection is directed, the control programtransmits to the order device 26 the photographic conditions and thephotography execution information stored in the hard disk 19. The CPU 14reports to the order device 26, in accordance with a predeterminedcommunication protocol, that photography has been terminated. At thistime, the CPU 14 reports the photographic conditions under whichphotography has been performed and the photography executioninformation, such as an exposure dose, to the order device 26.

A photographed image is output to an external apparatus or the like asimage data including additional information, such as the above-describedphotographic conditions and photography execution information, inaccordance with a medical standard communication protocol called DigitalImaging Communication in Medicine (DICOM).

FIG. 6 is a block circuit diagram for explaining an exemplaryembodiment, according to an aspect of the present invention. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 6, a printer 70, a picture achieving andcommunication system (PACS) 71, an image viewer apparatus 72, and aphotography management apparatus 73 are connected to X-ray photographingapparatuses 10′ and 10″. An external storage device 74 is connected viathe PACS 71.

A doctor who gives a photography order carries out diagnosis usingoutput film or an image displayed on the image viewer apparatus 72.After deciding diagnosis using the image viewer apparatus 72, the doctorcreates a diagnostic report. After diagnostic report is stored into thePACS 71, the PACS 71 stores the image into the external storage device74, and reports completion of storage to the X-ray photographingapparatuses 10′ and 10″. Each of the X-ray photographing apparatuses 10′and 10″ receives the report about the completion of storage, andtransmits photography execution record information to the photographymanagement apparatus 73.

Although a method for photographing an image in accordance with requestinformation has been described, a purpose of an inspection is to acquirean image of a photography region designated by a doctor. However,photography may not be successfully performed by a single operation. Inmany cases, photography is performed unsuccessfully due to blurring ofan image caused by movement of a subject S. Due to failure inpositioning, a so-called “unsatisfactorily photographed image”, which isinappropriate and cannot be used for diagnosis, is generated.

In this case, the operator again photographs an image that has not beenphotographed successfully. For photography execution information to bereturned to the RIS and an image to be used for diagnosis by the doctor,an unsatisfactorily photographed image acquired before retaking aphotograph is not necessary. Only an image acquired by properlyphotographing a designated region under designated photographicconditions is necessary. However, images may be played back untildiagnosis is completed even after photography is performed. Thus, notonly photographed images, but also unsatisfactorily photographed imagesmust be stored.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an exemplary screen when an unsatisfactorilyphotographed image is generated, according to an aspect of the presentinvention. An example in which a photographed image 81 is blurred and aphotograph must be retaken since the subject S moves when beingphotographed is shown on a screen 80 in FIG. 7. When the operatordetermines that a photograph should be retaken and selects a retakebutton 82, the CPU 14 executes the control program to display a dialogscreen 90 onto which the reason for invalidation, that is, the reasonfor the photographic error, is input, as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an exemplary screen for inputting a reason forretake or a photographic error, according to an aspect of the presentinvention. A radiographer name 91 who is logging onto the X-rayphotographing apparatus and select buttons 92 indicating possiblereasons for photographic errors are indicated on the screen 90. Afterthe operator selects a reason for a photographic error and clicks an OKbutton 93 to fix the selection, the dialog screen 90 is closed. The CPU14 stores the fixed data into a memory or a database, as shown in FIG.9, and continues photography. Then, the CPU 14 controls the displaydevice 20 so that the screen 50 is displayed on the display device 20,as shown in FIG. 4. The CPU 14 sets photography parameters to achievethe same conditions, and controls the FPD 18 so as to be the photographyenable state.

In this case, generally, the same photographic conditions are set.However, the operator may change the conditions set in the photographiccondition indication field 53 on the screen 50. After that, the operatorclicks the exposure switch 22 to retake an image. Then, the retakenimage is displayed, as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of storage ofphotography records, according to an aspect of the present invention.After the retaken image is displayed, as shown in FIG. 5, thephotography record information 100 is stored in the memory, as shown inFIG. 9.

When the operator clicks an error button 83 (see FIG. 7), instead of theretake button 82, after photography is performed, the CPU 14 controlsthe display device 20 so that the dialog screen 90 is displayed, asshown in FIG. 8, and urges the operator to input the reason for thephotographic error.

If operators transmit invalid images from the X-ray photographingapparatuses 10′ and 10″ to an external apparatus after completingphotography for all the photography orders, film is wasted, and a largeamount of capacity of the external storage device 74, which is connectedto the PACS 71, is used. This interrupts image diagnosis performed bythe doctor. Thus, by transmitting only a valid image to the printer 70and the PACS 71 set in advance, the doctor who gives a photography orderis able to receive only data necessary for diagnosis. Accordingly, asuitable system can be established.

However, with the arrangement described above, an unsatisfactorilyphotographed image and a reason for a photographic error remain withinthe X-ray photographing apparatus 10. Thus, the fact that a photographis retaken and that a photographic error occurs is not reported to aradiographer manager. In addition, even if the subject S is irradiatedwith X-rays, images not transmitted to the PACS 71, which is a firstserver unit, are deleted from the oldest one when the hard disk 19 ofthe X-ray photographing apparatus 10 is full. That is, anunsatisfactorily photographed image is automatically deleted after apredetermined period passes unless the manager operates a plurality ofX-ray photographing apparatuses and checks unsatisfactorily photographedimages.

Thus, the control program executed by the CPU 14 of the X-rayphotographing apparatus 10′ in this embodiment transmits images #1 and#3 shown in FIG. 9 to the PACS 71, which is the first server unit, fordiagnosis. In addition, the CPU 14 transmits photography information onimages #1, #2, and #3 and an unsatisfactorily photographed image #2 tothe photography management apparatus 73, which is a second sever unit,for a photography record.

When the photography management apparatus 73, which is the secondphotography management server unit, is configured to receive all thephotography records on all the photography, that is, successfullyperformed photography for inspection requests and unsuccessfullyperformed photography, which generates a photographic error, from aclient apparatus, X-ray photography records can be created. In addition,since an unsatisfactorily photographed image is also received, theconsistency of the reason for the photographic error can be achieved bycomparing the reason for the photographic error with theunsatisfactorily photographed image. If such a photography record isstored in a database to perform analysis for each radiographer, themanager is able to check the skill of the radiographer who is theoperator of the X-ray photographing apparatus 10.

The X-ray photographing apparatus 10′ may transmit photographic errorinformation at a predetermined time when an inspection is terminated orwhen a photographed image is transmitted to an external apparatus.Alternatively, the X-ray photographing apparatus 10′ may transmit thephotographic error information every day or at a time when the X-rayphotographing apparatus 10′ receives a report indicating that storageinto the printer 70 and the PACS 71 is completed or may transmit thephotographic error information in association with accountinginformation of a hospital. In addition, in some cases, correctedphotographed data is re-transmitted from the X-ray photographingapparatus 10′ to an external apparatus for the reason that imageprocessing is not properly performed, and the re-transmittedphotographed data is used for diagnosis. However, needless to say, insuch a case, photographic error information may not be re-transmitted tothe photography management apparatus 73, which may serve/act as a secondserver unit.

In addition, the number of retransmission times may be managed. Evenwhen the operator of the X-ray photographing apparatus 10 performs anoperation that is different from a normal workflow, the operation istraced back, and transmitted to the photography management apparatus 73.Thus, the manager is able to check unsatisfactorily photographed imagesgenerated by the X-ray photographing apparatuses 10′ and 10″ and reasonsfor the photographic errors by operating a terminal on the photographymanagement apparatus 73.

An aspect of the system according to this embodiment is to manage X-rayphotography records. Thus, only all the photography records includingphotographic errors may be transferred between the X-ray photographingapparatus 10′ and the photography management apparatus 73. In a casewhere unsatisfactorily photographed images are transferred, photographedimages may be included. However, since the manager does not necessarilyneed a fine original image, the system may be configured to receive areduced image created from an original image or an image subjected toimage processing, such as lossy compression, so that the manager canconfirm that the reason for the photographic error is proper.

In addition, since checked images can be automatically deleted, imageprotection flags attached to the checked images are deleted. Aphotography record received for each inspection is stored as a databaseon a computer serving as a server device. Thus, an X-ray photographymanagement system can be configured to collect statistics for eachradiographer or for each reason for photographic error. Under suchcontrol, an object to manage skills of radiographers while reducing theload of the server device can be satisfactorily achieved.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an exemplary process of the control programexecuted by an X-ray photographing apparatus. When inspection starts,the control program acquires a photography order in step S1. Then, instep S2, a photography process is performed. In step S3, it isdetermined whether or not all the photography orders have been dealtwith. If it is determined in step S3 that all the photography ordershave not been dealt with (NO in step S3), the process returns to step S2to perform the photography process. If it is determined in step S3 thatall the photography orders have been dealt with (YES in step S3), theprocess proceeds to step S4. In step S4, only a valid inspection imageis output to the PACS 71, which is the first server unit. A photographedimage is transmitted using a protocol called DICOM, which is thecommunication standard of medical instruments.

Then, in step S5, some or all of the photography records are output tothe photography management apparatus 73, which acts/functions as asecond server unit. The photography records may be transmitted, forexample, as photography execution information based on DICOM. However,in this embodiment, the photography execution information is transmittedusing a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) used for transmittingelectronic mail. In order to avoid electric interception or spoofing ofthe protocol, it is desirable that encrypted Secure Multipurpose MailExchange (S/MIME) be used.

In addition, an invalid image, which is unsatisfactorily photographed,is, for example, JPEG-compressed, and output together with thephotography records. After completing the processing of theabove-described steps, the program processing relating to the inspectionrequest is terminated. Then, the process ends at step S6, and waits forexecution for the subsequent photography order.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an exemplary photography process in step S2shown in FIG. 10. In step S11, the photography process starts. In stepS12, a “photography” button for a photography order to be dealt with isindicated. In step S13, a parameter corresponding to the photographyorder is read from the database. In step S14, the FPD 18, which is asensor, is set the “READY” state, and is held in the “READY” state untilX-ray photography is performed in step S15. When photography isperformed, image analysis is performed in step S16. Then, an image isdisplayed on the display device 20 in step S17.

When an operator changes an image processing parameter while viewing animage, an image processing parameter adjustment screen is displayed.After the operator changes the image processing parameter, the changedparameter is fixed. When an image processing parameter is not changed,determination of whether or not the photographed image is usable fordiagnosis is input in step S18. If it is determined in step S19 that a“next” button is selected (YES in step S19), photography record data isupdated in order to perform the next photography in step S20. Then, instep S21, the photography process ends.

If it is determined in step S19 that the “next” button is not selected(NO in step S22), it is determined in step S22 whether or not an “error”button is selected. If it is determined in step S22 that the “error”button is selected (YES in step S23), a reason for the photographicerror is input, as described above, and the photography record iswritten as a photographic error in step S23. Then, the photographyprocess ends in step S21.

If it is determined in step S22 that the “error” button is not selected(NO in step S22), it is determined in step S24 whether or not a “retake”button is selected. If it is determined in step S24 that the “retake”button is selected (YES in step S24), the process proceeds to step S25.In step S25, a reason for retaking a photograph is input, as describedabove, in order to add and indicate a photographic error mark indicatingthat the image is invalid and needs to be retaken, and the photographyrecord data is updated. Then, the process returns to step S13, and X-rayphotography waiting processing is performed. If it is determined in stepS24 that the “retake” button is not selected (NO in step S24), theprocess returns to step S18 to perform determination of photographyagain.

In this embodiment, a case where the control program is stored in thehard disk 19, transferred to the RAM 13, and executed by the CPU 14 hasbeen explained. However, implementation of the control program is notnecessarily limited to this case. The control program may be implementedusing any storage medium. In addition, the control program may beimplemented using a circuit that performs a similar operation.

The foregoing embodiments may be applied to a system including aplurality of apparatuses or may be applied to an apparatus formed by asingle device. For example, the foregoing embodiments may be achieved bysupplying a recording medium on which program code of software forrealizing the functions of the foregoing embodiments is recorded to asystem or an apparatus and by reading and executing the stored programcode by a computer or a CPU. In this case, the program code itself readfrom the recording medium attains the functions of the foregoingembodiments, and the recording medium recoding the program codeconstitutes the present invention.

The recording medium for supplying the program code may be, for example,a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, acompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a compact disc-recordable(CD-R), a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like.

In addition, the functions of the foregoing embodiments can be attainednot only by executing the read program code by the computer but also byperforming part or all of the actual processing by an OS or the likerunning on the computer on the basis of instructions of the programcode.

Furthermore, the program code read from the recording medium is writtento a memory arranged in a function expansion board of the computer or afunction expansion unit connected to the computer and is used. Thefunctions of the foregoing embodiments can also be attained byperforming part or all of the actual processing by the CPU or the likearranged in the function expansion board or the function expansion uniton the basis of instructions of the program code.

The program of the program code of the software for realizing thefunctions of the foregoing embodiments may be distributed to a requesterfrom the recording medium recording the program code via a communicationline, such as the Internet.

In the foregoing embodiments, an example in which a plurality ofoperators operates an X-ray photographing apparatus and in which each ofthe operators inputs a user name and a password for identification hasbeen explained. However, if biometrics, such as fingerprint or irisrecognition, is adopted, a system with higher security and higheroperability can be established. In addition, when an operator uses anX-ray photographing apparatus, a nameplate used in the hospitalincluding a barcode or an IC tag may be used for authentication of theoperator. In any cases, an operator of an X-ray photographing apparatusis identified, and a photography record is transmitted to a managementapparatus.

In addition, since an X-ray photography management server unit is aprogram executed by the CPU 14, the program is not necessarily executedon the photography management apparatus 73. For example, the X-rayphotographing management server unit may be configured within the X-rayphotographing apparatus 10′. In this case, the X-ray photographymanagement function can be realized when a manager uses the X-rayphotographing apparatus 10′.

In addition, if a single operator uses an X-ray photographing apparatusin a small hospital or the like, a login step is not necessary sinceidentification of the operator is not required. Thus, display of thelogin screen shown in FIG. 2 can be omitted by using a predetermineduser name. In this case, the X-ray photography apparatus itself iscapable of implementing the X-ray photography management function byarranging the X-ray photography management server unit within the X-rayphotography apparatus.

The present invention is not necessarily limited to the foregoingembodiments. Various changes and modifications can be made to thepresent invention without departing from the scope of the gist of thepresent invention.

As described above, in an X-ray image photographing apparatus, amanagement system, and a management method according to embodiments ofthe present invention, a photography management server apparatusoperated by a manager receives an occurrence record of a photographicerror and an unsatisfactorily photographed image, which are notdelivered for diagnosis, from a client apparatus. Thus, an X-rayphotography management system that is capable of referring to a digitalunsatisfactorily photographed image, which replaces knownunsatisfactorily photographed film, can be realized. In addition, sincean X-ray photography management system that is capable of collectingstatistics on photographic errors for each radiographer can be realized,implementation of such an X-ray photography management systemcontributes to hospital management in terms of patient protection.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all modifications, equivalent structures and functions.

1. A control apparatus for controlling X-ray photography by an X-raydetector including a photoelectric conversion device, the controlapparatus comprising: a control unit configured to cause a display unitto display a plurality of photographic conditions and an X-ray imagecorresponding to one of the plurality of photographic conditions and todisplay a first icon and a second icon different from the first icon ona same screen of the display unit so that one of the first icon and thesecond icon is selectable for the X-ray image; and an operationinterface configured to receive an operation input for selecting thefirst icon and the second icon, wherein the control unit is configuredto set a photographic condition for retaking the X-ray image, associateinformation indicating a photographic error with the X-ray image andcause a storage unit to store the information associated with the X-rayimage in a case where the operation interface receives an operationinput to select the first icon, and wherein the control unit isconfigured to associate information indicating a photographic error withthe X-ray image and cause the storage unit to store the informationassociated with the X-ray image without setting the photographiccondition for retaking the X-ray image in a case where the operationinterface receives an operation input to select the second icon, thecontrol apparatus further comprising: a communication circuit configuredto transmit an X-ray image that is not associated with the informationto an external device.
 2. The control apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the control unit is further configured to cause the display unitto display a screen for deciding information indicating a reason thatthe X-ray image is inappropriate for diagnosis as the information. 3.The control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit isfurther configured to associate the X-ray image with the informationindicating the reason and cause the storage unit to store the X-rayimage associated with the information in response to the decision of theinformation indicating the reason.
 4. The control apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to start control toretake the X-ray image in response to the decision of the informationfor the reason indicating the reason in a case where the first icon isselected, and wherein the control unit is configured to start control topermit photography on a photographic condition for an image that has notbeen taken yet among the plurality of photographic conditions inresponse to the decision of the information for the reason indicatingthe reason in a case where the second icon is selected and the firsticon is not selected.
 5. The control apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the control unit is configured to cause the display unit todisplay a photographic condition based on a photographic conditioncorresponding to the X-ray image as the photographic condition for theimage that has not been taken yet in a case where the first icon isselected.
 6. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontrol unit is configured to inhibit the display unit from displayingthe photographic condition based on the photographic conditioncorresponding to the X-ray image as the photographic condition for theimage that has not been taken yet in a case where the second icon isselected and the first icon is not selected.
 7. The control apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured toassociate the information with the X-ray image, cause the storage unitto store the information associated with the X-ray image and terminateprocessing based on the photographic condition in a case where thesecond icon is selected.
 8. The control apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the control unit is configured to cause the display unit todisplay an icon for selecting a photographic condition corresponding toa next X-ray photography about the plurality of photographic conditions.9. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communicationcircuit is configured to transmit the X-ray image associated with theinformation to a device different from the external device.
 10. An X-rayphotographing apparatus comprising; the control apparatus according toclaim 1; and an X-ray detector configured to transmit an X-ray image tothe control apparatus by photographing the X-ray image.
 11. An X-rayphotographing apparatus comprising; the control apparatus according toclaim 1; and an X-ray generating unit configured to generate an X-ray.12. A control apparatus for controlling X-ray photography by an X-raydetector including a photoelectric conversion device, the controlapparatus comprising: a display control unit configured to cause adisplay unit to display a plurality of photographic conditions includedin an examination of one unit, an x-ray image corresponding to one ofthe plurality of photographic conditions, and an icon for associatingfirst information indicating that the X-ray image to be used fordiagnosis is not output to an external device with the X-ray image; anda communication circuit configured to transmit an X-ray image that isnot associated with the first information to an external device, whereinthe display control unit is further configured to cause the display unitto display a screen for deciding second information indicating a reasonthat the X-ray image is inappropriate for diagnosis in a case where theicon is selected, and the display control unit is further configured toassociate the second information with the X-ray image, cause a storageunit to store the second information associated with the X-ray image andterminate processing based on the one of the photographic conditions ina case where the icon is selected.
 13. A control method of controllingX-ray photography by an X-ray detector including a photoelectricconversion device, the control method comprising: causing a display unitto display a plurality of photographic conditions and an X-ray imagecorresponding to one of the plurality of photographic conditions and todisplay a first icon and a second icon different from the first icon ona same screen of the display unit so that one of the first icon and thesecond icon is selectable for the X-ray image; setting a photographiccondition for retaking the X-ray image, associating informationindicating a photographic error with the X-ray image and causing astorage unit to store the information associated with the X-ray image ina case where an operation interface receives an operation input toselect the first icon, and associating information indicating aphotographic error with the X-ray image and causing the storage unit tostore the information associated with the X-ray image without settingthe photographic condition for retaking the X-ray image in a case wherethe operation interface receives an operation input to select the secondicon; and transmitting an X-ray image that is not associated with theinformation to an external device.
 14. A control method for controllingX-ray photography by an X-ray detector including a photoelectricconversion device, the control method comprising: causing a display unitto display a plurality of photographic conditions included in anexamination of one unit, an x-ray image corresponding to one of theplurality of photographic conditions, and an icon for associating firstinformation indicating that the X-ray image used for diagnosis is notoutput to an external device with the X-ray image; causing the displayunit to display a screen for deciding second information indicating areason that the X-ray image is inappropriate for diagnosis in a casewhere the icon is selected; associating the second information with theX-ray image, causing a storage unit to store the second informationassociated with the X-ray image and terminating processing based on theone of the photographic conditions in a case where the icon is selected;and transmitting an X-ray image that is not associated with the firstinformation to an external device.
 15. A non-transitory recording mediumfor causing a computer to execute control processing for controllingX-ray photography by an X-ray detector including a photoelectricconversion device, the control processing comprising: causing a displayunit to display a plurality of photographic conditions and an X-rayimage corresponding to one of the plurality of photographic conditionsand to display a first icon and a second icon different from the firsticon on a same screen of the display unit so that one of the first iconand the second icon is selectable for the X-ray image; setting aphotographic condition for retaking the X-ray image, associatinginformation indicating a photographic error with the X-ray image andcausing a storage unit to store the information associated with theX-ray image in a case where an operation interface receives an operationinput to select the first icon; associating information indicating aphotographic error with the X-ray image and causing the storage unit tostore the information associated with the X-ray image without settingthe photographic condition for retaking the X-ray image in a case wherethe operation interface receives an operation input to select the secondicon; and transmitting an X-ray that is not associated with theinformation to an external device.
 16. A non-transitory recording mediumrecording a program for causing a computer to execute a control methodof controlling X-ray photography by an X-ray detector including aphotoelectric conversion device, the control method comprising: causinga display unit to display a plurality of photographic conditionsincluded in an examination of one unit, an x-ray image corresponding toone of the plurality of photographic conditions, and an icon forassociating first information indicating that the X-ray image used fordiagnosis is not output to an external device with the X-ray image;causing the display unit to display a screen for deciding secondinformation indicating a reason that the X-ray image is inappropriatefor diagnosis in a case where the icon is selected; associating thesecond information with the X-ray image, causing a storage unit to storethe second information associated with the X-ray image and terminatingprocessing based on the one of the photographic conditions in a casewhere the icon is selected; and transmitting an X-ray image that is notassociated with the first information to an external device.